Cable trough

Abstract

A cable trough for installing cables alongside a railway line or other right of way is described. The cable trough is constructed using longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers coated with polymeric resin that generally aligns the reinforcing fibers with the length of the cable trough. One or more connector clips may be used to secure respective portions of the cable trough to one another. The cable trough is provided with a cover that may be removably secured to an elongate channel to protect the cables housed within the cable trough. Elbows, corners, tees, and other connectors may be provided to run the cable trough in any desired direction. A method of installing cables in a cable trough is also described.

1. A cable trough for containing cables comprising:
 an elongate channel having a bottom with a pair of sidewalls formed continuously along a length of the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom; 
 a removable top being operatively configured to engage upper edges of the sidewalls and secured to the channel to form an enclosed cable trough having a generally rectangular cross-section, the channel and the top of the cable trough being formed from longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers coated with polymeric resin; and 
 a connecting clip having a central web with a first edge and a second edge, a pair of stringers connected to the first and second edges of the central web in a generally parallel relationship with one another and spaced apart by the web, the stringers and the web forming a pair of opposing mouths that are constructed and arranged to receive therein at least one of a sidewall, a bottom, and the top of the cable trough. 
 
   
   
     2. The cable trough of  claim 1  wherein the opposing mouths of the connecting clip resiliently secure to distinct sections of cable trough so as to connect the distinct sections of cable trough to one another. 
   
   
     3. A cable trough assembly having a first and second cable trough sections as claimed in  claim 2  where the first cable trough section is coupled to the second cable trough section with at least one connecting clip interposed between the first and second cable trough sections. 
   
   
     4. The cable trough of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the sidewalls comprises an inner surface with an inwardly extending lip that serves as a part of a closure mechanism. 
   
   
     5. The cable trough of  claim 4  wherein the inwardly extending lip is formed continuously along the sidewall. 
   
   
     6. The cable trough of  claim 4  wherein the removable top comprises a pair of channel members extending downward therefrom and are formed to mate with the sidewall lip as a part of the closure mechanism. 
   
   
     7. The cable trough of  claim 1  wherein the elongate channel bottom comprises a flange extending outward from the sidewalls so as to provide additional stability and rigidity to the cable trough. 
   
   
     8. The cable trough  claim 1  wherein the cable trough is formed from generally uniformly longitudinally oriented glass reinforcing fibers coated within heat-curable thermosetting polymeric resin. 
   
   
     9. The cable trough  claim 1  wherein the elongate channel comprises a substantially straight section. 
   
   
     10. The cable trough  claim 1  wherein the elongate channel comprises a connector having a tee shape and operatively configured to be interposed between substantially straight sections. 
   
   
     11. The cable trough  claim 1  wherein the elongate channel comprises a connector having a bend shape and operatively configured to be interposed between substantially straight sections in order to run the cable trough around corners. 
   
   
     12. A method of installing cables in a cable trough comprising steps of:
 emplacing a first section of cable trough along a path where the cable is to be installed, the cable trough section having a first end and a second end; 
 securing to at least one of the ends of the first section of cable trough at least one connecting clip, the connecting clip comprising a pair of stringers arranged in a generally parallel relationship to one another and spaced apart by a central web and connected to the web, the stringers and the web forming a pair of opposing mouths, the mouths being constructed and arranged to resiliently clamp therein one of the first and second ends of the cable trough; 
 emplacing a second section of cable trough having a first and a second end along the path where the cable is to be installed, one of the first and second ends of the second section of cable trough being located adjacent one of the first or second ends of the first section of cable trough, the first and second sections of cable trough being generally aligned with the cable path, the second section of cable trough being connected to the first section of cable trough by means of the connector dip by sliding one of the ends of the second section of the cable clip into the remaining mouth of the at least one connector clip; 
 laying a cable within the connected sections of cable, trough; 
 placing a cover over the connected sections of cable trough; and 
 removably securing the cover to the connected sections of cable trough.